Treadle mechanism



Q Filed Feb. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet April 12, 1932.

F. E. BERTRAND TREADLE MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Apr. 12, 1932 SATES FREDERIG E. BERTRAND, 0F LYNN,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CGRPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY TREADLE MECHANISMApplication filed February 10, 1930. Serial No. 427,213.-

This invention relates to treadle mechanism of the type disclosed inUnited StatesLetters Patent No. 1,649,253, granted November 15, 1927, onan application filed in the name of u H. A. Rising, for machines inwhich it is desired to clamp a work piece in position to be operatedupon, or to establishan mltial relation between awork pieceand a tool byconsecutive movements of difierent character. One lmportant field ofapplication of the invention is in connection with a sole roundingmachine wherein a sole is engaged by a movable clamping member and heldin position for presentation to the action of a rounding knife and forpurposes of illustration the invention will be disclosed in thisconnection.

The etlicient operation of sole rounding machines requires a clampingaction upon the sole of considerable intensity. here a treadle isutilized for this purpose, it is desirable to provide for an initialmovement of its work end at high speed and low mechanical advantage anda final movement at low speed and high mechanical advantage. In

view of the foregoing, my invention also contemplates improvements intreadle mechanism, of the type disclosed in copending application SerialNo. 152,426, filed December 1, 1929, in the name of H. A. Rising, em-

ploying a single operating lever arranged for movement first about aprimary fulcrum located to give a low ratio of power arm to work arm,and then about a secondary fulcrum located to give a high ratio of powerarm to work cirm. In this way the total stroke of the treadle may be cutdown in length, and this is desirable both from the standpoint of theoperator and because it facilitates compactness of. design.

One object of the present invention is to.

provide improved mechanism for bringing axis outside the lever, asecondary fulcrum mounted for movement about another fixed axis andmeans constructed and arranged to lock said secondary fulcrum instationary position when said primary fulcrum is moved. Thus, theprimary fulcrum is arranged to support the treadle lever during itsinitial movem nt and then to move with the treadle in its finalmovement, while a secondary fulcrum is arranged to support the treadlelever during its final movement and to move freely during theinitialmovement of the lever.

Preferably, and in accordance with another feature of the invention, thesecondary fulcrum is locked in operative position by means of a train ofmechanism interposed between the two fulcrum members and including apawl ratchet the operation of which is controlled by the movement of theprimary fulcrum member.

My invention also includes within its scope novel mechanism for causingthe pawl to engage and disengage the ratchet, whereby the secondarfulcrum is locked promptly and effectively without appreciablelostmotion when the initial movement of the treadle is terminated, andas readily unlocked without delay and without requiring any attention onthe part of the operator, when, in the return movement of the treadle,it is desired to shift back to the primary fulcrum.

Another feature of theinvention consists in means for limiting thepressure which may be exerted by the operator upon the treadle leverwhen the latter is moving about its secondary fulcrum. Under thesecircumstances, the power arm of the lever is: so long that withoutsafeguards a heavy operator might carelessly exceed the pressurerequired for proper operation of the mechanism and damage its parts.This is prevented, as herein shown, by providing the treadlelever with afoot pad arranged to yield at a predeter- I mined pressure and permitdepressionto the fiber without further movement of the treadle. s

These and other features of the invention will behest understood andappreciatedfrom the'following description of a preferred embodimentthereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of the mechanism inside elevation, with portions broken away;

- set screw.

are connected by an overhead web 17" and their inner faces are finishedto form guides for the treadle lever 18-. The treadle lever comprises astraight integral bar havlnga socket at its work end to receive thelower end of a vertical treadle rod 20 by which the clamp of a roundingmachine may be operated, and at w its rear end a pivotally mounted footpad 22.

The foot pad 22 is yieldingly connected to the treadle lever insuch amanner as to limit the pressure which may be exerted upon it by theoperator and also to permit a full stroke to the floor in eachdepression or" the treadle. For this purpose, the rear end of the lever18 is forked to receive a journal pin 24 upon which the foot pad 22 ismounted. The foot pad extends upwardly above the journal pin 24, whereit is forked to receive a transverse pin 29 upon whichswivels the eye ofa rod 28. The rod 28 projects forwardlythrough an oversize bore in anear 26 projecting upwardly from the lever 18. A compress on spring 30encircles the forward end V ofthe rod 28- and is held'under adjustabletension by nuts 32 threaded upon the end of the rod 28. The initial,position of the foot pad 22 is determined and forward movement of therod 28 limited by the engagement of a collar upon the rod with the faceofthe ear 26. The nuts 32 may be set, for example, to compress'thespring 30 so that it will not yield until the operator has exerted apresi sure of 150 pounds, whereupon the spring 30 compresses, allowingthe foot pad to swing about the axis of the pin 24 without furthermovement of the lever 18 and without subjecting it to a substantiallyincreased pressure.

' The-primary fulcrum member'for the treadle lever is arranged tosupport thelever by contact with its under face at a point near thepower end of the lever. The casting 1O is provided with a boss 36 inwhich is formed a transverse bore in which is mounted a hori-' zontalshaft 38. A cylindrical hub 42 is mounted to turn. upon the shaft 38and. pro

vided with an upstanding arm at its outer end and an upstanding arm 44at its inner end. The arm 44 carries a transverse stud 46 upon which ismounted a roller 48. The inner end of theshaft 38 is extended beyond thearm 44 and surrounded by a sleeve 50 u on which is arranged a torsionspring 52. no end of the torsion spring extends under the stud 46 whilethe other end of the spring engages an outwardly-extending arm 54 formedintegralwith the casting 10. The spring is so wound'as to tend always toswing the arm 44 and its connected parts in a clockwise direction (Fig.1). The normal position of these parts isadjustably determined by a setscrew 58 which is arranged to bear against and which is threaded into anarm 56 which projects forwardly from the hub 42. It will be seen,therefore, that the primary fulcrum member is at all times maintained inan initial position determined by the set screw 58, in contact with theunder side of the lever 18, and free to swing in a. counter clockwisedirection against the tension of the torsion spring 52when the treadleis subjected to sufficient pressure to overcome the resistance of thisspring.

The secondary fulcrum member'of the lever 18 includes the forked lever16 already mentioned. This is pivotally connected to the lever 18. nearthe Work end of the latter, by aconnecting pin 60. The lever 16 extendsrearwardly beyond the axis of its journal pin 14, where it is providedwith a gear segment 62. The segment 62 is arranged to mesh with a pinion64 formed'integrally with a stem 66 which is mounted in bearings in abracket 68 extending upwardly from the base casting 10. The stem 66 isshouldered to receive the hub 71 of a ratchet disk 70. The hub of theratchet disk is fastened to the stem 66 by a key 7 2, as shown in Fig.4, so that the pinion 64 and the ratchet disk 70 turn as one piece aboutthe axis of the stem 66. The'gear segment 62 is provided with a stud 63which is arranged to contact with a stationary abutment on the bracket68 and so limit the movement of the rocker lever 16in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of its journal pins 14. The stud 63and its cooperating abutment, therefore, prevent suiiicient angularmovement of the rocker lever 16 to carry the gear segment 62 out ofmesh'with the pinion 64 and thus prevent the possibility of disturbingthe timing of this gearing.

t will be apparent that if the rocker lever 16 is locked in position itwill act as a secondary fulcrum for the lever 18, which will then moveabout the axis of the connecting pin 60. "The mechanism herein shownincludes means for locking the ratchet disk whenever the initialmovement of thelever 18 is arrested by encountering increased resistancethrough the rod 20, as when the clamps make preliminary engagement withthesole presented to the rounding machine. To this end, a pawl ismounted upon a stationary portion of the bracket 68 upon a stud 82 andis normally urged toward the ratchet j ecting from a portion of the basecasting'and arranged to act upon the lower" side of the ratchet disk.The two pawls 80 and 8% are set circumferentially half a tooth apart sothat lost motion in the mechanism is reduced to this extent.

The pawls 80 and 84; are normally maintained in an inoperative positionout of contact with the ratchet disk by a cylindrical cage or mask 74having a hub 76 mounted to turn upon the hub 71 of the ratchet disk. Themask 7 4 is connected to the arm of the primary fulcrum member by meansof a curved link 90 pivotally secured by a stud 88 to the face of themask at oneend and at its other end adjustably connected to acircumferenby the engagement of a lug 91 projecting from the end of thelink 90 with a fixed abutment 93 projecting from the upstanding wall ofthe base casting. It will be apparent also that A the torsion spring 52which acts to swing the primary fulcrum member will always return themask to its predetermined initial position. The lower end of the linkv90 may be adj ustably connected to the slot in the arm 40 so as toinsure movement of the mask without lost motion when the arm 40 ismoved.

It will be noted that the treadle 18 extends in a straight line from theaxis of its secondary fulcrum, past the axis of its primary fulcrum andto its point of connection with the foot pad, so that there is notendency to twist or cramp in operation. This desirable feature ofconstruction is'secured by arranging the locking mechanism, includingthe ratchet disk and gearing, in offset relation at one side of the pathof movement of the lever.

Where the treadle mechanism of my invention is used in connectionwith arounding machine, it will be understood that a clamping member isconnected to the treadle rod 1 20 and that during the initial movementofthe treadle while it is moving upon its primary fulcrum member with aratio of substantially l to 3, the clamp is moved rapidly into initialcontact with a sole positioned on the work table of the machine. Duringthe initial movement of the treadle lever, the lever 16' whichconstitutesthe rocking secondary fulcrum member turns freely on the axisof its journal pin 14 and the gear segment 62 spins the pinion 64 andthe connected ratchet disk. 'When the clamping member encounters thesole, the increased resistance temporarily arrests the upward movementof the treadle rod 20, so that continued depres-" sion of the treadlelever causes the primary fulcrum member to rock in a counter clockwisedirection against the tension of the spring 52. This movement oftheprimary becomes the axis about which the treadle lever moves, 7Continued depression 'of the treadle thereafter swings it about itssecondary fulcrum ata ratioof approximately 8 to 1 and forces theclamping member against the sole with a powerful pressure and holds itfirmly in place. 8 v V Having thus described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever having a primary fulcrum mountedfor movement about a fixed axis outside thelever, a secondary fulcrummounted for movement about another fixed axis, and means constructedand. arranged to lock said secondary fulcrum in stationary position whensaid pri mary fulcrum is moved.

2. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever,

movable primary and secondary fulcrum members for said lever, and atrain of mechanism interposed between said fulcrum members includinglocking mechanism constructed and arranged to lock said secondaryfulcrum member in a stationary position when the primary fulcrum memberis moved." '3. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, movable primary andsecondary fulcrum membersmounted adjacent thereto and connected by atrain of mechanism including a lock, the movement of the primary fulcrummember acting through said train to render the lock effective to holdthe secondaryfulcrum member stationary. I 4. Treadle mechanismcomprisinga lever,a yieldingly supported primary fulcrum member adjacentto the power end of the lever, a secondary fulcrum member locatedadjacent to the work end of the lever, said fulcrum members beingconnected by a train of mechs anism including a lock arranged to berendered effective by the movement of the primary. fulcrum member tohold the secondary fulcrum member stationary.

5. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a yieldingly supported primaryfulcrum member adjacent to the power end of the lever, and a secondaryfulcruinmember located adjacentto the Work end of the lever,

said. fulcrum members being connected by a train of mechanism includinga ratchet disk, a pawl for locking said disk, a mask for rendering saidpawl inoperative, and connections between said primary fulcrum memberand the mask for controlling the position of the latter.

6. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a primary fulcrum membermounted for movement at the conclusion of the initial movement of thetreadle, a secondary fulcrum member connected to the lever and freelymoved thereby in its initial movement, and locking mechanism associatedwith said fulcrum members and arranged to be rendered operative to locksaid secondary fulcrum member in stationary position during the finalmovement of the lever. v

'Z. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever,

a primary fulcrum member arranged tosupport said lever yieldingly ata'point adjacent to its power end, a rocking secondary fulcrum member.connected at one end to said lever at a point adjacent to the work endof the lever and having a gear segment at its other end, and meansactuated? by the movement of s'aid'primary fulcrum member for lockingsaid gear segment to hold said sec: ondary fulcrum member stationary.

8. Treadle mechanism including a lever, a primary fulcrum memberarranged yield.- ingly to support said lever, a rocking'secondaryfulcrum member connected at one end to a point on said lever and havinga gear segment at its other end, a pinion meshing with said segment, aratchet disk fast to the pinion, pawls for locking said ratchet disk and'a mask for controlling the operation of the pawls operated by saidprimary fulcrum member. v r

9; Treadle mechanism comprising a lever mountedfor initial movement upona primary fulcrum, means for guiding thework end of' the lever in an arehaving a center other than that of said prlmary fulcrum, and means forestablishing a secondary fulcrum for the lever in said are when its workendencounters increased resistance. V

10. Treadle mechanlsm compr sing a lever,

a yielding primary fulcrumlocated near the power end thereof, a linkmember mounted toswing about a fixed axis and being connectedv to saidlever near its workend, and means connecting said fulcrum and link forholding said link member stationary when resistance is encountered. bythe. treadle, whereby the link may serve as a secondary fulcrum forthelever. p I

11. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a primary fulcrum member for,yieldingly supporting; said lever, means for'ad justably determining thenormal position of said ful-' crum member, a secondaryfulcrum member forthe. lever freely. movable while, the lever moves upon, said, primaryfulcrum member, and connections between said fulcrum members for lockingsaid secondary fulcrum member; 7 g

12. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, primary and secondary, fulcrummembers therefor, and an interposed train of mechanism. including aratchet disk and pawl effective to lock said secondary. fulcrumv member,a mask for holding said pawl initially in inoperative position, andadjustable connecting mechanism interposed between said primary fulcrummember andfsaid mask for controlling the position of the latter.

13. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, primary and secondary fulcrummembers associatedtherewith,and a train of mechanism interposed betweensaid. fulcrum members including a ratchet disk and pawl. effective tolock said secondary fulcrum member, a mask movable to retractor releasesaid pawl controlled in its movement by said primary fulcrum member, andmeans for positively determining the initial position of the mask.

14. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a' rocker member connectedthereto and hav ing a gear segment thereon, a pinion meshing with the;segment, a primary fulcrum member movable atth e conclusion of theinitial movement of the treadle, a connecting trainof mechanism operatedby said primary fulcrum member, to lock said rocker member, and meansfor limiting the movement of said rocker member independentlyv of saidconnectingtrain. V

15. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, primary and secondary fulcrummembers associated with said lever, one of said mem bers having a gearsegment movable in a path located atone side of the lever, a ratchetdisk operated by said segment, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet diskto lock said secondary fulcrum member, and means for controlling thepawl operated by said primary fulcrum member.

16. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a primary fulcrummemberlocated near. the power end of the lever and movable with the lever inits final movement, a secondary fulcrum member located near the work endof the lever and movable during the initial movement of the lever, arotary member in operative relation thereto and arranged to be turnedduring the initial movement of the lever,:and ITIGELIISICOIItIOllGd bysaid primary fulcrum member for arresting the turning movement of saidrotary member thereby to lock said secondary fulcrum member.

17. Treadle mechanism comprising a lever, a pair of fulcrum membersacting upon said lever at spaced points and movable one after theother,and a connecting train of'mechanism interposed between saidmembers and including a lock arranged to be actuated by

